IMPACT
The Johnstones had the biggest impact. They discovered they could produce a variety of cutflowers well and sell them off the farm and at the Greensboro Curb Market. The cutflowers are a good companion crop to their blueberries. They averaged $100 a week from their cutflower sales. This was their first year and they think they will produce cutflowers another season and increase their customers next year and increase sales.

The August 11, 2004 Cut Flower Farm Trial and Program was attended by fifteen people. The evening was raining but they came with umbrellas! The people that attended were serious about growing cutflowers commercially. At the program there was very good audience participation and discussions.

The Reidsville Review Newspaper printed an article on the program.

INTRODUCTION

A blueberry farmer and I conducted an on farm trail of cutflowers. The flowers were to be a companion crop to his blueberries and be sold off the farm and at the Greensboro Curb market where he sold his blueberries. He had tried cutflowers before and they were very discouraged.

A Farm Trial Tour and Evening Program was held. Dr. Carl Niedziela from NC A &T was conducting some Greenhouse Cutflower Trials in Rockingham County was added to the program.

METHODS

The site the farmer chose for the trial needed some pre-plant preparations. He hired a neighboring farmer to prepare the soil for direct seeding of flowers. Tom took a soil sample and applied fertilizer pre-plant and then twice more during the growing season. Wet weather delayed the first planting. The first planting of Glads was May 14, 2004 and annual seeds May 25, 2004. The second planting of glads, annual seeds, and ageratum transplants was June 14, 2004. The zinnias were sprayed with a fungicide three times during the season. The herbicide Preen was applied to the rows as well as hoeing to control weeds. Since we used border glads no staking was required.

RESULTS

The Rudbeckia seeds never germinated. The border glads, zinnias, pollen free sunflowers, and ageratum produced and sold very well. The earlier plantings produced larger numbers of plants, higher yields, and healthier looking flowers.

The Johnstones started harvesting cutflowers July 16th and sold at the Greensboro Curb Market for the first time July 17, 2004. They averaged $100 a week on flower sales. The flowers sold faster in already prepared bunches compared to single stem flowers.

CONCLUSION

Tom and Deuard Johnstone were very impressed with the results of the trial both yield and sales. They plan to plant cutflowers again and make sure they have even earlier flowers to go with the blueberries. Other people who attended the field day and farm trial will produce more flowers too, especially the border glads that are longer than they expected. All the people at the program asked for grant money!

I learned a lot about cutflowers and the selling of the flowers. The Program with Carl Niedziela from NC A&T on his greenhouse cutflower work was very informative too.

We are county agents, professors, scientists, and volunteers working together to improve the quality of life in Guilford County and North Carolina. The key components of the North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service’s mission are to teach the public how to:

ensure the sustainability of agriculture, forestry, and a safe food supply

strengthen the economic and social structure of families

encourages the economic and social development of communities

protect and improve the environment

help people address problems through public policy education

Over 125 lay leaders comprise the Extension Advisory Leadership System in Guilford County. These volunteers keep Extension professionals aware of local issues and needs so we can design our educational outreach accordingly.

We receive financial support from three levels of government — federal, state and county — and from private financial sources. The Extension Service also works with other agencies and receives support from agri-business, industry, foundations and individuals.

Extension agents are the bridge between specialists on the university campuses and the citizens of Guilford County.

The Staff in the Guilford Extension Center coordinates educational programs, public meetings, workshops, field days, personal consultations, and satellite broadcasts to teach people how to improve their lives. The Extension Center is stocked with publications, newsletters, computer programs, and videotapes. You will also see our outreach programming in the pages of local newspapers, and on radio and television.

NC State University and N.C. A&T State University work in tandem, along with federal, state and local governments, to form a strategic partnership called N.C. Cooperative Extension, which staffs local offices in all 100 counties and with the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians.

NC State University and N.C. A&T State University are collectively committed to positive action to secure equal opportunity and prohibit discrimination and harassment regardless of race, color, national origin, religion, political beliefs, family and marital status, sex, age, veteran status, sexual identity, sexual orientation, genetic information, or disability.